Condylar buttress plate fixation of femoral fracture in a colt.

The research article discusses an unusual method of treating a specific type of femoral fracture in a 1-year-old Pony of America using lateral plating in combination with interfragmentary compression which resulted in primary bone healing.

About the Injury

• The pony had suffered a Salter-Harris type-II fracture in the lower part of the thigh bone. A Salter-Harris fracture is a type of bone fracture that involves the growth plate in immature bones. Type-II is common and merges the growth plate and part of the bone end.

The Treatment

• The researchers opted to treat the fracture using a method of lateral plating combined with interfragmentary compression. Lateral plating is a technique that involves the surgical application of a metal plate to the side of a bone to promote healing and stability.
• Interfragmentary compression refers to the surgical act of bringing together the fragments of a broken bone and securing them, which aids the healing process. Together these methods aim to facilitate the restoration of the bone’s original form and functionality.

Result

• The combination of acondylar buttress plate with these techniques was found to be unique and the results were encouraging. A specially designed condylar buttress plate was used to secure and support the fracture, which contributed to its uniqueness.
• The horse’s femur was observed to have undergone primary bone healing. In such a type of bone healing, there was no visible callus and the bone structure was seen to be restored exactly as it was before the injury.
• The positive outcome of this technique was confirmed in a follow-up five months after the procedure, indicating the effectiveness of this approach to fracture repair in a young horse.